SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL: Orcas' win streak falls apart

* West Sound's seven turnovers hand a 26-0 victory to visiting King County.

Taking one look at the West Sound Orcas' sideline Saturday evening at Memorial Field, everything became clear.

Players hung their heads in disbelief, argued about missed assignments or stared up to the heavens for answers. None were forthcoming as the King County Jaguars suffocated the Orcas 26-0 in a Northwest Football League semi-pro contest at Memorial Field.

How bad did things get? The Orcas (3-6, 3-4 in league) turned the ball over seven times, threw two interceptions for touchdowns and managed just 92 yards on offense.

"What can you say? Our offense is sputtering right now," Orcas head coach Robert Mulligan said. "Our defense is tough, but they can't play forever."

Per usual, West Sound's defense turned in another solid performance, limiting the Jaguars to 164 total yards and two field goals. West Sound's defense also forced four turnovers.

King County's offense scored a late touchdown against the Orca defensive reserves.

West Sound quarterback Don Purser couldn't get any kind of rhythm going, finishing 3-for-12 for 21 yards. Purser completed as many passes to the Jags (3 interceptions, two returned for touchdowns) as to his Orca teammates.

Even when Purser hit his receivers, they put the ball on the turf. Orca receivers dropped five balls.

Fullback/offensive guard Arnie Otterbeck said the entire offense should shoulder the blame.

"I don't think it's fair to point the finger at one guy,"Otterbeck said. "We win as a team. We all have to take responsibility for ourselves. I think it's ridiculous to point the finger at anybody."

However, Mulligan said there might be a change at the quarterback spot next week when the Orcas host the Washington Cavaliers.

Mulligan said he'll take a "serious look" at backup quarterback Robert Boyer, who played in mop-up duty at the end of the game.

The evening began ominously for the Orcas, with Purser throwing an ill-advised pass into coverage out in the flat. Cornerback Chris Springs picked off the errant throw and galloped 45 yards, giving the Jaguars a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter.

After the Orcas went three downs and out, King County (5-2, 6-2) scored on its next possession. This time, the Jaguars marched 37 yards on eight plays, with kicker Richard Black booting a 42-yard field goal for an 9-0 margin.

Black chipped in a 35-yarder early in the second quarter for a 12-0 Jaguar cushion at halftime.

The Orcas' best opportunity to score came at the end of the first half, when West Sound cornerback Terrance Ivory picked off a Toriano Johnson pass at the Orca 10-yard line. Ivory changed direction and got loose down the sideline, but couldn't outrun the Jaguars, who bottled up Ivory at the 4-yard line as time ran out in the half.

The Orcas hung tough through the third quarter, and had an opportunity to get back into the game with six minutes left. Defensive tackle Dave Pederson recovered Jaguar quarterback Derrick Smith's fumble on King County's 31-yard line, once again giving the Orca offense prime field position.

But three plays later, on King County's 16-yard line, a miscommunication between Purser and Orca receiver Shawn Parker led to cornerback Lorico Edwards' interception. Edwards returned the ball to the West Sound 35.

"He (Purser) audibled to a slant but the receiver didn't hear him, so he ran a different route," Mulligan said.

Parker had to receive medical attention after the game after getting smacked on a pass route across the middle of the field. He may have suffered a broken rib.

The Jaguars scored the last two touchdowns on another Springs interception return for a touchdown, this one for 35 yards, and a Landon Bishop 10-yard touchdown reception.

West Sound running backs Chris Antwine and Andrew Alfred ran hard in the second half, finishing with 36 and 22 yards, respectively.

Otterbeck said the Orcas need to move forward.

"This game is over with," Otterbeck said. "Now we have to focus on the Cavaliers. Everybody should get away from football for a couple days, you know, hang out with their families and come back focused for next week."

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